Authentic Edo period original, c.1837, Japanese erotic art shunga woodblock print picture by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865).  From his fantastic & illustrious shunga series - and arguably his best - Genji of the East, Charm of Flowers and Birds (Kacho yojo Azuma Genji). 
 
Shunga picture measures 24.5 cm x 33 cm.  Very good colors and impressions.  Beaqutiful deluxe touches to the artwork with mica (metallic pigments) and gauffrage ( a mild type of embossing,; here used on the white of the beauty's kimono).
 
Condition is good with some light wear, soiling, and small water stain where the beauty is masturbating.  No backing.  Please see and judge from photos. 
 
A superb and exceptionally rare original shunga by Utagawa Kunisada, taken from his celebrated c.1837 masterpiece Kachō Yojō Azuma Genji.  The composition is classic Kunisada at his finest, depicting a solitary beauty masturbating as she quietly eavesdrops on others concealed behind the byōbu partition.  Her absorbed expression gives the scene a wonderfully voyeuristic quality, while her exposed figure emerges from sweeping blue robes and richly patterned textiles. 
 
Original individual sheets from this important series are increasingly difficult to acquire, especially examples retaining such strong color and deluxe printing effects.  A genuinely impressive Edo-period shunga and an outstanding example of Kunisada’s erotic work.